{"id":143232,"date":"2019-07-10T20:31:23","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T18:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=143232"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:42:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:42:36","slug":"guide-to-shipping-packages-envelopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/guide-to-shipping-packages-envelopes\/","title":{"rendered":"Gen-Z guide to shipping packages and envelopes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Package\"We kinda love that the ease of sending emails has given shipping packages and letters even more meaning. You probably know the feeling well: almost everyone loves receiving something in the mail!<\/p>\n

That could explain why we love ordering from Amazon so much…<\/p>\n

If you want to show friends and family you care with a personally addressed parcel, the time to learn is now. Our generation is well known for figuring everything out via the internet, so please use this guide to fully utilize the amazing, ironic power of FedEx<\/a>, UPS<\/a>, and the United States Postal Service<\/a>!<\/p>\n

The Gen-Z guide to shipping packages and envelopes<\/h2>\n

Step 1: Assemble Your Package<\/h3>\n

\"Contents\"<\/p>\n

Yeah, that’s pretty obvious.<\/p>\n

However, every once in a while, we’ve gotten ourselves stuck trying to figure out what to put in a care package. After adding Mini M&M’s and jelly beans and removing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups because it was summer and those melt, we finally chose what to send and moved on.<\/p>\n

If you’re stuck in a loop, constantly adding and removing items from a diversified packet, take a second to choose exactly what you want, and settle on that. There’s no need to wait seven days more because you decided to include a funny Resident Evil<\/a> T-shirt from designbyhumans.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

…not that we’ve had that experience.<\/p>\n

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8 best T-shirt sites for geeks like us<\/p>\r\n Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Finding the Right Box<\/h3>\n

\"Which<\/p>\n

It’s one of those steps that can be hard, not because there are too few options, but because there are too many.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fortunately, you can start with this quick guide:<\/p>\n

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  1. Are you only sending papers? Postcards, letters, your horror screenplay?\n
      \n
    1. Postcards don’t need an envelope, but you can use one if you like.<\/li>\n
    2. Letters can be put into envelopes.<\/li>\n
    3. For larger things – term papers, novel drafts, etc. – you can use a manila envelope or a shipping company’s own envelopes<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    4. Single items that are boxed on their own – perhaps a Lego set or a box of crackers – can actually be wrapped and addressed, without putting them inside another box. True, Amazon does it that way, but you don’t have to!<\/li>\n
    5. Oddly shaped items and collections of things – a bike, multiple packages of candy, etc. – should be put in a box, likely with something else<\/a> to keep them secure; reusable bubble wrap, packing paper, the works.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If your item doesn’t fit into a box easily or has certain requirements, like the need to be frozen, you should check your preferred shipping companies restrictions<\/a>\u00a0(the link is for USPS, our personal favorite). One company or another may have better options for highly specialized materials.<\/p>\n

      Addressing Mail<\/h3>\n

      \"Address\"<\/p>\n

      This is where we get hung up!<\/p>\n

      Addressing a shipment properly is one of the most important parts. You need to make sure the writing is legible and there are no spelling errors: otherwise, your package will not reach its destination, or even be returned to the sender. We’ll explain in more detail.<\/p>\n

      When choosing which side to place the address on: use the “back” of the letter, the side without a flap. For boxes, we recommend using one of the faces with the most surface area, you can use the flap side if you wish.<\/p>\n

      Methods of placing the address: with letters, it’s often easiest to write on the envelope directly. However, boxes may have different prints on them that would confuse your writing. In that case, you’d be well advised to print the address and tape it over. If you want to choose the easiest mode for both letters and boxes, purchase printable stickers<\/a> and create the address with those instead!<\/p>\n

      Finally, let’s talk about addresses:<\/p>\n

      The Return Address<\/strong> should always be placed at the top left of your envelope or box. It’s easy to mix up a sending address or forget a stamp, so be careful: if something goes wrong, they’ll still get the shipment back to you (we had it happen with tax returns before, this can be a lifesaver).<\/p>\n

      Line by line, the order goes:<\/p>\n